Thursday, October 12, 2017

This is the dirty little secret that liberal media and politicians do not want you to know. They try very hard to sell us on the idea that the rich make too much money, and by raising taxes on them, the economy will grow.

As a matter of absolute fact, and proved out by Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman, the opposite is true.

First and foremost, only the poor pay any taxes at all. Every time you raise taxes on anyone, those costs are put into the "cost of living", and they get passed down to those below in the form of higher prices. Even if you are a humble employee, when taxes go up you need to get a raise or your standard of living goes down. When the employer GIVES thopse raises, he, too, must pass the cost along in the form of higher prices - prices that we ALL pay, which again increases the cost of living, requiring yet another round of raises. Bear in mind - only the poor, who have no one below them to pass increased costs onto - only they will actually pay the taxes. ALL of the taxes. Their Ramen soup, which had been 25 cents is now 30 cents. There is truth in "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer", but it is not necessarily the fault of the rich. It is usually the fault of increased taxes.

Now I would ask you to put yourself in the position of the "rich" fellow. You are the CEO of a multi-million (or billion) dollar business. Your top three priorities (leaving out God for the moment) are 1) yourself, 2) your family, and 3) your stockholders. Keep that in mind while we move forward here.Uncle Sam decides to raise your taxes. What do you do? If you are deserving of your CEO position, you will do one or more of the following if you want to keep providing for your family, and keep your job:

You would raise prices on your goods and services, to cover the increase in the cost of doing business (taxes)

You would lay off employees to cut costs

You would freeze wages

If you do any of those things, everyone who uses your products and services will suffer. And anyone who works for you will end up suffering a lower standard of living. And anyone looking to you for a job will find themselves still unemployed. And, of course, the people you lay off will, instead of contributing to the taxes from the salaries they no longer have will instead be sucking from the public teat, placing a heavier burder on the rest of us.

The economy, without question or doubt, will shrink. Everyone suffers, but the poor will suffer the most. And all because the government increased taxes (cost of doing business) on the very people we look to for production of goods and services, and the addition of jobs and paying of salaries.

When we were children, most of us heard the story of the Golden Goose. And we learned what happens when you kill the Golden Goose - no more golden eggs. Raising taxes on the rich is akin to starving the goose.

You see, the rich actually NEED more money (and often deserve it) because unlike you and I, who are responsible only for our families, they are often responsible for the survival of many families. Can you imagine how many people - families - rely upon Bill Gates of Microsoft? As Sean Hannity says, "I never got a job from a poor person."

Liberal progressives would counter, "But if you cut taxes on the rich, they'll get richer." True enough - but so will everyone else. When you cut taxes on the rich, they don't just blow it on bubble gum and candy. They did not get rich by being stupid. No, they will reinvest that money into more production, more employees, in order to create more profit. And it is those investments that produce jobs, raise wages and kick-starts the economy.

I am not saying we should feel sorry for the rich if taxes get raised. But I AM saying we should feel sorry for OURSELVES if taxes get raised on the rich, because we would all pay.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

As many of you already know, "The Simple Man's Guide to Real Estate" has been helping people get into real estate investing for over a quarter century, and for under $100, which includes lifetime coaching. And you also know that there are many real estate "gurus" - so many, in fact, that many folks are confused as to which one they should invest in.

Than Merrill and his Fortune Builders is one of the "top" names right now - not because his program is best (it's not) but because of his fame, and the vast amount of cash he spends to promote his business ("The Simple Man's Guide to Real Estate" spends nothing for promotion or advertising, yet brings in thousands of new clients each year by "word of mouth").

Consider: there are, and always have been only a couple of dozen actual methods of real estate investing. All others that "gurus" tout are nothing more than take-offs with minor effect, or combinations. And most gurus teach only one or two methods. "The Simple Man's Guide" teaches all 22 methods. And where Than Merrill and most others charge as much as $60,000, "The Simple Man's Guide" is only $90.

And none of the gurus - not Than Merrill, nor Armando Montelongo, Ron LeGrand or any other will provide coaching (mentoring) at no cost. "The Simple Man's Guide" provides unlimited coaching for free, as they utilize investors who volunteer their services.

Than Merrill and his Fortune Builders may be a decent program - but NO real estate investing program is worth the money those other gurus charge. Real estate investing isn't rocket science - average people have been doing it successfully for centuries.

You may have the opportunity too attend a "free" seminar by Than Merrill or some other guru. Go for it - only if to discover what the REAL cost is going to be, as those seminars are not for teaching - they are for selling.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

First, low income persons are eligible for Medicaid, and as long as that remains in place, that takes care of those people. And the wealthy have no problem getting whatever coverage they desire, so let's not concern ourselves with them. That leaves the rest of us - the folks in the middle who are struggling, but not "poor" enough for Medicaid, nor rich enough to get the best care available at any time, and certainly unable to afford ObamaCare premiums and huge deductibles.

For the rest of us, the solution is simple: make only CATASTROPHIC care available to all, at a reasonable cost - such policies are relatively inexpensive, and people can choose their own deductible, just like car or house insurance. Simply choose a higher deductible to reduce premiums.

The rest of your health care can - and should - be paid by the individual. Preferably, we would be allowed to build tax-free health savings accounts to cover all those minor health costs, like exams, shots etc. Let's have a little personal responsibility, folks! And if the individual has to cover the minor costs of health care, they would have greater incentive to live a healthier lifestyle. There is no excuse for expecting insurance to cover costs for things like condoms, Viagra, or even your annual physical.

Think of it this way - your car insurance pays for major damages and medical for people involved in an accident, but it does not cover gas, oil, tires, registration etc. Same with your homeowner's policy. Health insurance should be the same - designed to cover the BIG things that are otherwise unaffordable.

And policies should be available nationwide, across state lines, to create competition that reduces costs.

And those Senators that complain they want to represent the needs of THEIR people? No problem - ALL Americans would have these same options and choices, and each can craft the coverage they need.

To those in the House & Senate - BOTH parties - I suggest if you want to do what is best for the people, and insure your own re-election, stop with all the posturing for dumb reasons like being anti-Trump, or anti one party or the other and get the job done. And above all, understand this SIMPLE concept - health care should NOT be run by the government. I know you love the idea of being in control of such a valuable necessity, but STOP! It is not in the best interests of America.

Friday, April 14, 2017

Critics of the president are accusing him of flip-flopping on issues such as NATO and China. But is he really flip-flopping, or is he simply employing "The Art of the Deal"?

Trump is a great negotiator. As such, he is all too aware that it is nearly impossible to get a good deal from an opponent who believes he is in a position of strength. If you meet an opponent, and tell him up front that he's really great and a credit to his position, you will be strengthening a belief he already has, and from that point on he will feel superior to you. If you then demand something from him, he has little reason to bow to your demands, and you have lost.

A good negotiator will first try to weaken the oppoenent by berating, belittling or otherwise calling their strength into question. In doing so, you at least make it appear that you are the one coming from a position of strength. In nature, it is the bluff and bluster between two opponents that helps to win the battle. Have you never seen the hackles raise and the baring of teeth on a dog?

So, you first weaken the opponent's resolve by instilling doubt. Only then can you approach them with some praise. This creates something not unlike the Stockholm Syndrome, where a kidnap victim comes to identify with, and even protect their abductor. By helping to replenish their feeling of self-worth, they are more apt to show a little gratitude, and they may even be anxious to do things for you, to get your approval.

And if you doubt any of this, think back to you and your father - did you ever find yourself bending over backward in order to gain Dad's approval? Or that of a strict teacher?

President Trump is already getting NATO to update, and getting NATO countries to carry their weight. And he is getting China to help with North Korea - things that previous presidents were unable to accomplish.

Is Trump flip-flopping? Or is he just putting America on the winning side?

Friday, March 24, 2017

A new (and free) ebook by investor Bill Vaughn is being offered by IntelliBiz. "The Simple Man's Guide to Wholesaling Made Easy" is the definitive guide to assigning real estate and pocketing big assignment fess, quickly and easily.

The method referred to by many infomercial gurus as "wholesaling" is actually and accurately called "assigning". To set the record straight, and in an effort to teach the correct (and 100% legal) way to assign, "The Simple Man's Guide to Wholesaling Made Easy", is being provided FREE to all customers.

"The Simple Man's Guide to Wholesaling Made Easy" takes the investor step-by-step through the entire process, from what type property to look for and how to find them, all the way to finding buyers to assign to, cashing out and taking the assignment fee to the bank.

Just one more way that Bill Vaughn has your back, "The Simple Man's Guide to Wholesaling Made Easy" provides the most complete guide available. And it is but one of the 22 methods the course covers in detail, and the entire course is still under $100, complete. It even includes free mentoring by professional investors.

And with real estate now on the up-tick, and set to explode, there has never been a better time. Prices are relatively moderate, rates are still low and the population increasing daily - and everyone needs a place to live. And it certainly does not hurt to have a White House that is friendly to real estate and promises some overdue deregulation.